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NEW ORLEANS – The most astonishing teaching rent in LSU soccer historical past referred to as for a grand entrance, and the Superdome delivered.
Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers took the sphere Sunday amid pyrotechnics worthy of a Pink Floyd live performance. Switch quarterback Jayden Daniels extended the fiery entrance with a 25-yard run on LSU’s first play from scrimmage.
After which the Tigers flamed out.
LSU’s 24-23 loss to Florida State on Sunday served as a dud opening to the Kelly period.
A blunder-filled sport fittingly ended when Shyheim Brown blocked Damian Ramos’ additional level with no time left.
The worst half for LSU? The Seminoles (2-0) and coach Mike Norvell contributed sufficient gaffes, together with two journeys contained in the 10-yard that produced zero factors, that LSU had an opportunity to prevail. However the Tigers (0-1) could not capitalize, wanting as flawed as final yr’s workforce that suffered a shedding document for the primary time since 1999.
Nick Saban gained eight video games in first season at LSU. Sunday confirmed how a lot work awaits the Tigers if Kelly is to achieve that mark.
At the very least Daniels fueled sufficient second-half yardage to supply cause for optimism. He practically compelled additional time by main a spectacular 99-yard landing drive that, after all, was adopted by a safety failure on the additional level.
“Simply disbelief,” Tigers defensive finish BJ Ojulari stated of the additional level being blocked. “One thing so easy that we follow day by day, day in and time out, nevertheless it’s simply execution.”
“I used to be surprised and confused,” stated Daniels, who was consulting with a nutritionist on the sideline in the course of the decisive kick however realized the consequence from the gang’s response. “It’s disheartening.”
But, apropos.
Exhausting to say what plagued LSU most: its offensive line, its particular groups or its secondary.
Daniels spent a lot of the sport operating from bother, and the Tigers didn’t hassle making an attempt to ascertain a run sport. LSU’s vaunted line of defense regarded pedestrian in comparison with FSU’s relentless go rush. Unhealthy snaps from new heart Garrett Dellinger interrupted drives.
A whiffed blocking project allowed FSU to dam a discipline purpose. Jay Bramblett shanked a 31-yard punt. Malik Nabers muffed two punt returns.
Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis tortured LSU’s secondary on third downs.
Want I am going on?
LSU’s high offensive weapon, Kayshon Boutte, grew to become a detriment. He couldn’t safe a landing seize when Daniels threw an ideal ball in opposition to tight 1-on-1 protection. Later, Daniels zipped a go to Boutte because the vast receiver streaked towards the purpose line, however Boutte’s consideration was elsewhere, and the ball ricocheted off his physique. Boutte then dropped two passes full his tour of blunders.
Preseason hyperbole included discuss of Kelly instilling extra self-discipline to the Tigers, however that was earlier than defensive sort out Maason Smith injured his leg whereas celebrating after a first-quarter play. Ali Gaye acquired ejected for blatant focusing on. Self-discipline remained M.I.A. throughout FSU’s first landing, which got here on a reverse flea-flicker go. LSU’s safeties pursued the reverse, and FSU’s Ontario Wilson slipped behind cornerback Mekhi Garner for a 39-yard landing. Twice, LSU dedicated a number of penalties on the identical play.
It’s laborious to think about the Tigers wanting extra bungled had a shirtless Ed Orgeron changed Kelly on the sideline.
Norvell did his greatest to place LSU for victory. His unhealthy choice to go for fourth down – a fade route fell incomplete – as a substitute of a chip-shot discipline purpose earlier than halftime practically proved expensive.
Seminoles followers tomahawk-chopped their method all through a lot of the second half earlier than having to carry their breath on the shut. However, would not you realize it, LSU’s line parted to permit an ideal avenue for Brown to hurry by way of and block the additional level.
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First-year coaches ought to be granted a modicum of endurance, however any name for endurance at LSU would ring hole after Florida upset No. 8 Utah below new coach Billy Napier.
Kelly boasts a $100 million contract and probably the most achieved résumé of any LSU rent. He hasn’t tried to mood the huge expectations he is aware of he faces.
“We’ll start, beginning proper this minute, to place collectively the subsequent nationwide championship soccer workforce at Louisiana State College,” Kelly stated following his rent. “That’s the usual. The expectation.”
Possibly begin by taking step one. Like a lineman blocking the defender in entrance of him.
The success of the Kelly period gained’t be decided by this primary sport, which is lucky, as a result of there was little price remembering a couple of debut that went up in smoke.
Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Community. E mail him at [email protected] and observe him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. For those who get pleasure from Blake’s protection, think about a digital subscription that may permit you entry to all of it. Additionally, try his podcast, SEC Soccer Unfiltered, or entry unique columns by way of the SEC Unfiltered publication.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: In Brian Kelly debut, LSU flames out spectacularly, alarmingly to FSU
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